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Police: Man Murdered Friend, Buried Body

Last updated on Wednesday, February 8, 2017

(BLOOMFIELD) - A Bloomfield man accused of murdering Chase Aliano told police several stories about what happened to the Bedford man.

24-year-old William Abel faces felony counts that include murder and obstruction of justice, as well as one misdemeanor count of false informing.

Authorities say Abel shot and killed 21-year-old Aliano and attempted to cover up the crime by hiding Aliano's car, burning Aliano's clothing and other possessions, and burying his body.

The investigation started on February 3, when Chase's father, Steve Aliano, contacted the Lawrence County Sheriff's Office to report his son missing on February 3. He stated that Chase had last been seen on January 31 at Abel's residence in Bloomfield, where Chase possibly intended to sell firearms to Abel.

On February 4, a deputy from the Greene County Sheriff Office visited the Abel residence and, after receiving consent from Abel's father, searched the property. He found Chase Aliano's red Chevy Tracker and discovered that Able removed the license plate and then hid the vehicle about 200 feet from his home near the woods. The vehicle was parked near a small tree near the bottom of the ravine and was hidden behind an old mattress and pallet.

According to the sheriff's office, William Abel admitted that he tried to hide Aliano's vehicle after which Abel was taken to the Greene County Jail to be interviewed.

A probable cause affidavit states that Abel first told police Aliano had come to see him January 31, to sell him firearms, and then left with a female, asking Abel to hide the Chevy Tracker while Aliano traveled to purchase drugs.

Abel changed his story, stating they went to a cabin on Abel's family's property on January 31 to fire pistols and to smoke meth.

He claims Aliano pointed a gun at him as they left the cabin, firing and missing.

Able stated he had a 44 magnum in his hand, turned and fired twice at Aliano.

Able stated that Aliano was face down on the ground, but still had the firearm in his hand. Able says he approached Aliano and fired again.

Deputies say Abel was not able to provide a reason why Aliano would point his firearm in Abel's direction, stating that the two men had gotten along well that evening.

Abel stated he then wrapped Aliano's body in a sheet and used the car to drag the body into the woods. He then removed all of the clothing, placed the body in a hole in a creek and then covered it with rocks and sticks.

He then burned both Aliano's clothing and his own and returned the following day to bury the body more fully. He also reportedly shot at Aliano's cell phone and then threw it into the woods.

Abel kept the firearms, hand tools, money, wristwatch and items from Aliano's vehicle. He also allegedly tried to sell the firearms.

Deputies escorted Abel back to his residence, where he indicated the various locations where the incident took place, including the location of Aliana's body and Aliano's other firearms.

After repeated interviews, Abel stated he could not in fact clearly remember whether Aliano fired at him as he had originally claimed.

Preliminary findings from an autopsy conducted at Terre Haute Regional Hospital indicate that Aliano was shot six times, in a manner inconsistent with the narrative Abel provided to police.

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